Jack Grealish appears to have been given the biggest indication that he does not have a future at Manchester City after a bombshell update on his situation.
A club-record £100 million signing from Aston Villa in 2021, Grealish helped City win a historic treble in 2023 but his importance to the team has reduced in recent times and he made just seven Premier League starts last season.
Grealish still has two years remaining on his reported £300,000-per-week contract but he has been heavily linked with a departure from the Etihad Stadium.
And the chances of a summer exit appear to have increased after Matt Law from The Telegraph reported that Grealish is set to be left out of City's Club World Cup squad.
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One of two English clubs competing in the revamped 32-team tournament in the United States, City take on Wydad AC, Al Ain and Juventus in Group G in June.
But Grealish is not expected to be part of the travelling party, with City said to be willing to let the England international move on after four seasons.
What has Pep Guardiola said about Jack Grealish's Man City future?
Having apologised for his lack of minutes, Pep Guardiola was open about the possibility of Grealish leaving for pastures new after leaving him out of the matchday squad for the final game of the campaign against Fulham.
In his press conference, Guardiola said: "Of course, Jack has to play. He’s an unbelievable player that has to play football every three days. It didn’t happen this season and last season either. He needs to do it, with us or another place.
“It’s a question for Jack, his agent and the club. If he stays it will be fine and he will fight like he fought from day one to make a contribution, but not today.
“It’s nothing personal with Jack. I’m the person who fought for him to come here and the person who fought for him to stay here this season. I’m the one who said I want Jack Grealish. What happens in the future is a job for Txiki (Begiristain), Hugo (Viana) and the agents.”
Though there has been no official squad announcement, it's understood that all parties believe it is best for Grealish and City that he does not play in the tournament.
The competition could last a month and would make it more difficult to arrange a transfer which could already be a complicated one given the fee and salary involved.
Poised to have potential suitors in England and elsewhere, there has even been a suggestion that a loan move could suit Grealish as he bids to find his way back into Thomas Tuchel's England squad.
City kick off their Club World Cup campaign on 18 June against Wydad and hope to have deals wrapped up for top targets Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki beforehand.
Topics: Jack Grealish, Manchester City, Pep Guardiola
Josh Lawless